Pininfarina, Newcleo and Fincantieri partnered at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – The Venice Biennale. to present a life-size reproduction of the TL-40 nuclear reactor. Installed inside the Corderie of the Venice Arsenal, the project invites visitors to rethink nuclear energy. By introducing a compact, safe, and visually engaging reactor, the companies aim to change how the public understands atomic power, positioning it as a key player in the shift toward clean energy.
Newcleo designed the TL-40 as a liquid-lead-cooled reactor capable of powering large ships. The technology addresses two urgent global concerns: climate change and the need to reduce carbon emissions. The exhibition reveals the science behind the reactor while engaging visitors with tactile design and interactive media.
Design as a Tool for Awareness
Pininfarina gave the reactor its distinct appearance, using fiberglass and a moiré-effect surface to create a sculptural form that draws attention. The open structure allows full visibility from all sides, while the interior reveals the reactor’s mechanisms and functions. Designers crafted the object to appear light and suspended, despite its weight exceeding two thousand kilograms.
The installation’s shape resembles a large vessel, with layered lamellae that generate visual effects through light and shadow. Visitors can step inside and experience the layout firsthand. Interactive elements break down complex systems and clarify the potential of nuclear energy, particularly its ability to use waste from older reactors and its built-in passive safety features.
Technology, Explained Visually
By combining scientific precision with accessible storytelling, the project turns technical knowledge into a shared experience. One segment visualizes how existing nuclear waste could meet Europe’s energy needs for centuries. Another explores the potential of nuclear propulsion for ships, a concept backed by Fincantieri’s shipbuilding expertise.
Pininfarina and Newcleo also focus on sustainability. The entire installation uses modular components, which simplifies transport and reduces emissions during setup and breakdown. Each element will serve a future purpose beyond the exhibition, reinforcing the project’s practical goals.
Collaboration with Clear Outcomes
Beyond the installation, the partnership between Newcleo, Fincantieri, and Pininfarina already extends into long-term projects. Since 2023, Fincantieri and Newcleo have studied applications of the TL-40 in ship propulsion. Pininfarina, meanwhile, works with Newcleo on the design of a nuclear fuel research center in France, set to rise in the Gard region.
Fincantieri contributed its knowledge in complex ship design to ensure the project reflects real-world potential. Newcleo brought the engineering, and Pininfarina crafted the narrative through form and presentation.
Shifting Perceptions of Atomic Energy
The Venice Biennale offers a global platform to confront preconceptions. Through this installation, Newcleo and its partners reject the outdated visual language tied to nuclear energy. Instead, they offer a new symbol: one rooted in safety, clarity, and innovation.
Silvio Angori, Vice President and CEO of Pininfarina, described design as a force that connects innovation to environmental and social needs. Giovanni de Niederhäusern, Senior Vice President of Architecture and Product Design, noted that the collaboration helps translate advanced reactor technology into something understandable and relatable.
